Stuart, Florida Public Records

The Florida Bureau of Investigation offers services to Martin County residents, including fingerprinting and criminal history checks, ensuring that individuals and businesses can access necessary background information.

Those in need of more detailed land records, such as deeds, mortgages, or plat maps, can visit the Martin County Clerk of Court's office, which serves as the official custodian of these historical documents.

The safety and security of the Stuart community is primarily the responsibility of the Stuart Police Department, a well-trained and dedicated law enforcement agency serving the city's residents. In addition, the Martin County Sheriff's Office plays a vital role in broader law enforcement efforts across the county, including the Stuart area. Individuals in need of criminal records, arrest reports, or other law enforcement-related documentation can submit requests through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's public records portal at fdle.fl.gov.

Stuart voters are served by the Martin County Supervisor of Elections, located at 135 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994 (772-288-5637, www.votemartin.gov), which administers all federal, state, county, and municipal elections for residents of Martin County including the City of Stuart. Florida residents can register to vote online at registertovoter.gov.florida.gov or through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles when obtaining or renewing a driver's license; the registration deadline is 29 days before any election, and applicants must be U.S. citizens, Florida residents, at least 18 years old, and not adjudicated mentally incapacitated or convicted of a felony without restoration of voting rights. Stuart holds municipal elections for Mayor and City Commission seats; the city uses a commission-manager form of government with four commissioners and a mayor elected at-large to staggered terms. City elections typically occur in March of odd-numbered years, with the next Stuart municipal elections scheduled for March 2025 for specific commission seats. Candidate qualifying and local ballot measures are posted at www.ci.stuart.fl.us and through the Supervisor of Elections office. Stuart residents can find their assigned polling place by visiting www.votemartin.gov and using the Precinct Finder tool, which requires entering name and date of birth or street address; the system displays the voter's precinct, polling location with address and map, sample ballot, and early voting sites. Florida law makes extensive election records public: voter registration data including names, addresses, party affiliation, and voting history (but not vote choices) is available for purchase; campaign finance reports for all candidates and political committees are searchable through the Florida Division of Elections at dos.myflorida.com/elections; candidate filings and precinct-level results are published by the Supervisor of Elections. In the November 2024 presidential election, Martin County recorded approximately 79,000 total votes cast with turnout near 73% of registered voters, reflecting the county's high civic engagement. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Stuart and Martin County voters will decide several significant races: Florida does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026 (next in 2024 and 2028), but voters will elect a Governor and Cabinet officers as 2026 is a gubernatorial election year in Florida; all Florida House of Representatives seats (District 85 covers Stuart); various county offices including County Commission seats, Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Clerk of Court, and Supervisor of Elections depending on term schedules; and potentially Stuart City Commission seats or local referenda if scheduled to coincide with the general election. Florida offers vote-by-mail (absentee) ballots to any registered voter without requiring an excuse; requests can be submitted online through www.votemartin.gov, by phone at 772-288-5637, by mail, or in person, and are valid for all elections through the end of the calendar year of the second ensuing regularly scheduled general election. Mail ballots must be requested by 5:00 PM on the 10th day before the election, and completed ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections by 7:00 PM on Election Day (postmarks do not count). Early voting is available at multiple locations countywide for approximately two weeks before Election Day, with extended hours including evenings and weekends, providing convenient alternatives to Election Day polling place voting.